Reader Tim writes in with this tip for creating a simple file shredder to permanently and securely delete files from your hard drive:

I add an instant file shredder to my Windows desktop using the SDelete utility, available freely from Sysinternals. Save the SDelete.exe in your C:\WINDOWS\system32 directory. Add the following text to a new text document:

@echo off

echo .* * *W A R N I N G * * *

echo .

echo .The File(s)/Folders(s) Will Be Permanently Deleted!

echo .

echo .Press CTRL-C to Abort and Terminate Batch Job Or...

echo .

pause

sdelete -p 4 -s %1

pause

Save the file as "shred.bat" on your desktop right next to your Recycling Bin. Now just drag and drop those sensitive files onto the icon to make them disappear forever!

I gave Tim's batch script a try and it seems to work perfectly. I love the idea of keeping your permanent file shredder right next to the Recycle Bin, giving you the choice to send files to the recoverable Recycle Bin or shredding them to hell so they can never be recovered. To make things easier on you, I've put together shred.bat as described above for download, Windows only.

Shred.bat isn't your best bet if you're looking to permanently delete data from an entire drive, but it's great for any regular old file deletion. If you've got your own method for simple but secure file deletion, share it with the rest of us in the comments. — Adam Pash